"So what you are saying is, if we keep providing attorneys, ultimately he may find an attorney he can work with?"

Yesterday, I did a post on Jacob Silverman and whether he would be found competent to stand trial.
Silverman's main charge for this case is sale of heroin. Other charges include violations of law related to weed and lying to a police officer about his identity.

After hearing from Dr. Ramirez, then Dr. Wilson and finally Silverman himself, Visiting Judge Marjorie Carter ruled that Silverman was competent to stand trial.  Silverman was called to the stand by the People; not his own attorney, Mr. Russ Clanton.

Despite courtroom shenanigans; Silverman got what he wanted yesterday. It is not every day the DA and defendant agree on the outcome of a hearing. Dr. Wilson's testimony below will give you an idea of what the courtroom was like and why it would take three times the amount of  time to get through a hearing with Silverman that should take half an hour. And that is if you have a competent Judge who has control of the Courtroom.


Mr. Russ Clanton asked Dr. Jennifer Wilson if Jacob Silverman told her that, :he is an extraordinary person and can only be understood by extraordinary people." She answered that this is what Silverman "believes"; it is not her opinion.

"He resents some people," said Dr. Wilson. Mr. Clanton posed a follow up question and Silverman interrupted him. Judge Carter said, "Mr. Silverman, I remind you, it is not your turn."

Silverman ignored her and continued interrupting , Mr. Clanton. "Mr. Silverman, I'm in charge of this courtroom," said Judge Carter.

Mr. Calnton asked Dr. Wilson if someone diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder believes "that others lack the ability to help them."

"They believe other people are not as capable as them," replied Dr. Wilson.

Mr. Clanton asked Dr. Wilson if it was true that she asked correctional deputies if Silverman was verbally abusive and delusional. Dr. Wilson responded, she asked correctional deputies for information about what upset Silverman and "what precipitated his outbursts."

Mr. Clanton asked Dr. Wilson if Silverman told her that the DA, the court staff, the Judge and himself were "conspiring" against him. Dr. Wilson responded, ""No, he said previously people" had conspired.

Mr. Clanton brought up a letter from Silverman's mother saying that she was concerned about her son's mental health. Mr. Clanton mentioned that Silverman had dismissed several attorneys that his mother had tried to hire for him in the past.

Dr. Wilson acknowledged reading the letter. In response to other questions by Mr. Clanton about Silverman, she said, He is challenged to inhibit his responses in certain situations."

"He requires exquisite patience from people working with him," said Dr. Wilson. "He has difficulty tolerating people he deals with." In her report, Dr. Wilson listed several concerns that she had about Silverman and why she thought he was not competent to stand trial, "but also others that he is competent" to stand trial.

Mr. Clanton: "Has his NPD affected his ability to work with counsel?"

Dr. Wilson: "Yes."

Mr. Clanton reminded  Dr. Wilson that Silverman did not tell her that he fired an attorney, Mr. Green in 2013. Dr. Wilson was provided documentation of the court order where Mr. Green asked to be removed as Silverman's counsel.

The exchange between Mr. Clanton and Dr. Wilson was tense, at times, with the addition of Silverman interrupting. Judge Carter would admonish Silverman, "You were doing to so well, Mr. Silverman."

Silverman would then apologize and be quiet, expressing his feelings through facial expressions.


Mr. Clanton: "He has had 14 or 15 attorneys over the years but he told you he only dismissed four? You are relying on his statement that he only dismissed four. He could have fired all his attorneys. "

Silverman started acting out.

Judge Carter: "He is doing his job Mr. Silverman. Be quiet. In an extreme case, you can be removed from the courtroom. If I decide you are disruptive and keep interrupting, we can proceed without you. When you talk; you interrupt the proceedings. The court reporter cannot take notes."

Mr. Clanton told Dr. Wilson that he was Silverman's fourth attorney on this case. Silverman fired Public Defender Kaleb Cockrum, then private attorney Joe Judge, then private attorney, Mark Hapgood. All paid for by the taxpayers since they are court appointed.

"So what you are saying is, if we keep providing attorneys, ultimately he may find an attorney he can work with?," said Mr. Clanton. "Do you have any idea how we can find do that?"

"That is not my area of expertise," said Dr. Wilson.

"Exactly," said Mr. Clanton.

Deputy District Attorney asked Dr. Wilson if Silverman's frustration could be due to the fact that he had been incarcerated for 14 months. Mr. Timm also asked Dr. Wilson about Silverman telling her that he had not seen his mother or sister for 10 years.Without going into any details, Mr. Timm got Dr. Wilson to confirm that Silverman was not on any medication for mental health issues.

Dr. Wilson told Mr. Timm she has agreed with Dr. Ramirez before on PC 1368 opinions. She felt that in this case their difference of opinion on Silverman may have been due to "interview styles."

"When attorneys are not willing to pursue legal strategies that Mr. Silverman wants, he wants to dismiss them," said Dr. Wilson.

Previous post:
http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2017/12/if-you-have-narcissistic-personality.html